October 2016

Monday, May 25, 2015

A friend of mine was telling me recently about an interesting incident. He and his family had just left a local department store and were walking toward their car. He was lagging behind the others a bit when a stranger stopped him.

The man was disheveled and actually reeked, something for which he apologized. He explained to my friend, who had signaled protectively to his family to get into the car, that he needed $15 to stay in a nearby hotel he had been referred to by a local homeless shelter. The shelter had no room for him that night and had told him about this hotel that could put him up for $15. He went on to explain that he had a job interview the next day and that he really needed that shower.

My buddy, a guy known to think things through, told me that the guy, despite his appearance, sounded genuine so he decided to ask him what the name of this nearby hotel was. The feller didn't hesitate and told him. My friend used his smart phone to find and then dial the hotel. The story checked out. They did indeed offer cheap rooms to those who had been referred by the shelter.

The friend turned to the stinking man and handed him a $20 bill and sent him on his way.

But the story wasn't quite through.

A number of months later, my friend's wife was approached by a clean-shaven man in a business suit. He told her who he was and how a man she was with some months back had helped him out when he was in dire need. He told her that the following day, he had aced a job interview and had been hired by a local company and had been gainfully employed ever since.

He then handed her a $100 while relaying his gratitude.

Now I'm no fool and neither I'm sure are you. Not every story of giving to someone in need ends this way. Sad but true. In fact, more times than not, we're likely to get burned.

But look, what's the cost? A few bucks here, a few bucks there?

My pal took a chance. He saw dignity in a person where most people see a bum.

We're called to see dignity in people and my buddy answered that call. Beautifully.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

It was once called Armistice Day, commemorating the final day of battle ending World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

During the Eisenhower administration, to also honor those who served during Worl War II, it became known as Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor those to whom we owe our freedom, our way of life.

It happens also to be a day Catholics honor St. Martin of Tours, patron saint of military chaplains.

So on this Feast of St. Martin of Tours day, he a soldier himself, I tip my hat to all veterans and I place my hand over my heart to particularly say thanks to my Dad, J.D., who served honorably for more than 20 years in the United States Air Force.

Happy Veterans Day to you Dad... ya know I love ya... and Happy Veterans Day to all who wear or have worn the uniform.

Saturday, November 01, 2014

After 214 days in a Mexican prison, Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi crossed the US – Mexican border Friday night, boarding a private jet for Florida shortly after 9 p.m., after a strong diplomatic push convinced a judge to release the former Marine on humanitarian grounds.

His release comes after a lengthy trial and a Congressional hearing in September highly critical of Obama Administration efforts to secure his release and Mexico’s refusal to let him go. Tahmooressi said he made an innocent mistake the evening he crossed into Tijuana with three weapons in his truck on March 31.

While his defense rested its case several weeks ago, Tahmooressi’s release came only after a strong diplomatic push from former Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ).

The three officials, along with Tahmooressi’s mother Jill, have spent the last week in Tijuana pressing officials for his release.

Speaking by phone on his way to board a plane with Tahmooressi, Richardson said the trio, along with talk show host Montel Williams, met with Mexico’s Attorney General and Ambassador to the US, advocating for his liberation.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Read this morning at Mass by Father Mike, who asked the congregation to join in that reading:

It is impossible to persevere in a fervent evangelization unless we are convinced from personal experience that it is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him, not the same thing to walk with him as to walk blindly, not the same thing to hear his word as not to know it, and not the same thing to contemplate him, to worship him, to find our peace in him, as not to. It is not the same thing to try to build the world with his Gospel as to try to do so by our own lights.We know well that with Jesus life becomes richer and that with him it is easier to find meaning in everything. This is why we evangelize. A true missionary, who never ceases to be a disciple, knows that Jesus walks with him, speaks to him, breathes with him, works with him. He senses Jesus alive with him in themidst of the missionary enterprise. Unless we see him present at the heart of our missionary commitment, our enthusiasm soon wanes and we are no longer sure of what it is that we are handing on; we lack vigour and passion. A person who is not convinced, enthusiastic, certain and in love, will convince nobody.

I'm an imperfect messenger, a flawed and less than effective evangelist, someone who has experienced Christ's richness, His presence, His comfort, His consolation, His hope, His challenge, His conviction, His mercy, His gaze, His embrace , His love and much more and who desires that others experience Him similarly.

I will however screw up in the effort to point people to Him, I will in my zeal and via the filtration system that is my own sin, not attract but detract, not convince but dissuade, not build up but break down and for this I am sorry. Truly. Honestly. Genuinely.

Yet I cannot stop in what I'm doing, I cannot not speak of, not write about or not link to that which tells the story, that which points to the Truth as a person, the Way as exclusive, the Life as eternal.

I will likely mess this effort up more times than not and that is of course regrettable but in the end, it's not about me and this gives great comfort.

God pursues us.

He does so despite our weaknesses, our defects and our failings. And thank God, He does so despite the weaknesses, the defects and the failings of those attempting to be His emissaries.

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

On the banks of the Tiber river lies the city of Rome, home and center of Catholicism.

For me, the title of this post refers to my crossing back to the faith of my childhood. For my wife, her first crossing.

Last night, she took on the confirmation name of Martha and received her first Holy Communion. My confirmation name is Justin, named after he who sought the truth desperately and found what he was looking for in Jesus and His teachings.

It's been quite the trip, one begun most hesitantly at first yet one that is ending (but really, beginning anew) with eagerness and trust.

We've come to learn things we did not know, we've come to see things we had not seen before, we've come to embrace things that we held at arm's length for a very long time. And honestly, there's more to embrace, more to see, much more to learn. This faith is rich and deep and is a faith I think even her long time adherents have not fully come to appreciate.

Yes her history has its darker moments and yes, this faith is much maligned, some of it perhaps with good reason. Yet there is a history of good and decency that is far too often overlooked, and much of that which passes as criticism is based in ignorance and folly, even duplicity.

What I know now and believe with fear and trembling is that I've returned to that which Jesus Christ and his apostles birthed, that which contains and represents the Truth, that which is the broken body of our Lord with its wounds and scars but also with its redemptive and forgiving powers, that which will withstand the gates of Hell.

The bottom line, in all its apparent simplicity, is that we're home. And it's very good to be home.

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catecheses, we have often noted that we do not become a Christian on our own, but by being born and nurtured in the faith in the midst of the People of God, that is the Church. She is a true mother who gives us life in Christ and, in the communion of the Holy Spirit, brings us into a common life with our brothers and sisters. The model of motherhood for the Church is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in the fullness of time conceived through the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Son of God. Her motherhood continues through the Church, who brings forth sons and daughters through baptism, whom she nourishes through the Word of God. In fact, Jesus gave the Gospel to the Church to bring forth new life by generously proclaiming his word and winning other sons and daughters for God our Father. As a mother, the Church nurtures us throughout life by illuminating our path with the light of the Gospel and by sustaining us with the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. With this nourishment, we are able to choose the good and be vigilant against evil and deceit, and overcome the difficult moments of life with courage and hope. This is the Church: a mother who has at heart the good of her children. And since we are the Church, we are called to live this same spiritual, maternal attitude towards our brothers and sisters, by welcoming, forgiving and inspiring trust and hope.

I have grown to be extremely grateful for Mother Church and the words I intentionally bolded give solid reason for this personally experienced truth.

As I wrote back in March of 2011, I write again now, the bottom line, in all its apparent simplicity, is that we're home. And it's very good to be home.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

“If no one is Pope, EVERYONE is pope!” Without a visible head, there is no principle on earth for unity in the Church. The Protestant experiment tried to replace the Pope with Scripture and gave it sole authority. But Protestants cannot agree on what Scripture says and have no earthly way to resolve their conflicts. While they say that authority resides in Scripture alone, the fact is, in claiming the anointing of the Holy Spirit and thus the ability to properly interpret Scripture, they really place the locus of authority within themselves and become the very pope they denounce. Having denied that there is a pope they become pope. If no one is Pope, everyone is pope.

I have read that some objectors think Catholics arrogant in asserting that we have a pope whom we trust to be anointed by God to teach us without error on faith and morals. But which is more arrogant: to claim there is a pope (not me), or to in fact act like one myself?

In the end, the Protestant experiment is a failed one. Many estimates place the number of Protestant denominations as high as 30,000. Personally, I think this is exaggerated—but not by much. Protestants all claim the Scriptures as their source of the truth but differ on many essential matters such as sexual morality, authority, the necessity of baptism, whether once saved is always saved, etc. When they cannot resolve things they simply subdivide. There is an old joke, told even among Protestants, that goes,

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, “Don’t do it!” He said, “Nobody loves me.” I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Are you a Christian or a Jew?” He said, “A Christian.” I said, “Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, “Me, too! What franchise?” He said, “Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?” He said, “Northern Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?” He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist.” I said, “Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?” He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.” I said, “Me, too!” Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?” He said, “Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.” I said, “Die, heretic!” And I pushed him over.

A strange little joke, and not entirely fair since most Protestants of different denominations that I know get along fine on a personal level. But the truth is, the denominations disagree over many very important things. The Protestant experiment is a failure that leads only to endless division. The Church needs a visible head. The Bible alone does not suffice, for there are endless disagreements on how to interpret it. Someone must exist to whom all turn and who all agree will resolve the differences after listening.

I don't resent in any way my Protestant friends who have problems with Catholicism. I had problems for years but something (the Holy Spirit I'm now convinced) kept me returning, in one sense or another, to the Catholic Church, the Church I now call home and will never leave.

She is the fullest representation of the truth, a conclusion I've drawn after much reading and study. And she points me in the direction of Christ, through Mary His Mother, through the Saints, through tradition, through Scripture, through the liturgy, through her Bishops, Priests and Deacons, through her monks, friars and nuns.

I drifted through the morass that Protestantism had for me become and landed, thankfully, on the Rock upon which Christ built His Church.

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

I've come to believe firmly that the Pope's views on economic inequality are sourced in this teaching. I believe with certainty and firmness in the dignity of every unaccompanied child coming across our southern borders. I see the loss of potential and cannot imagine what the parents are feeling about the deaths of the boys killed on that beach in Gaza yesterday.

Do I still believe in conservative values and principles and how the application of both are key to society's success? Yes. Hell yes.

But I also believe that they must be under-girded by this concept, so beautifully emphasized by Catholic teaching, of human dignity and its sanctity.

We have a responsibility to care for the poor. Children cannot ever be dismissed as mere invaders. And the deaths of innocent children must always be grieved.

To ignore this teaching is to begin to lose our humanity. To dismiss this teaching is to cross a threshold that will not be easily stepped back over. To ridicule this teaching is to admit to and confess a dangerous soullessness.

My embrace of Catholic teaching on the dignity of every person is making me more human.

Trust me, and those who live or interact with me, when we all say I need to be more human.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

I made the mistake of watching a video chronicling some of the horror occurring in Iraq. Armed thugs in cars barrelling down the highway indiscriminately emptying their weapons into vehicles they were passing on some unnamed highway. Time and again, they would shoot their weapons as they passed then go back and finish their victims off. It was graphic. It was disturbing. It was evil.

Not long before watching this video, my wife and I were with our brand new granddaughter. She's three weeks old today and she is the most precious thing. At one point during our babysitting, while the wife cradled Amelia, swaying with her as we waited for Amelia's mom and my son to get home from a short but much needed little getaway, I wrapped my arms around them both. Together we swayed while looking into Amelia's angelic little face as she cooed and smiled. It was a moment I'll long remember and treasure.

Yet not long thereafter, I sat in the comfort of my own bedroom, watching this wickedly gruesome and graphic scene unfold on a video uploaded by terroristic thugs. It was a shock to my system.

I am grateful that I live in a land thus far shielded from the mayhem depicted in the video. I am grateful but I feel a terrible guilt.

While I was experiencing the kind of love and affection described in storybooks, half a world away, innocents were being slaughtered by merciless thugs.

I know not what I can do about it. I am frustrated by my helplessness.

As I shut down my computer last night, I was moved to pray a Rosary for the victims of the senselessness in Iraq today and for Amelia's future tomorrow.

Dear God, we need a new Pentecost. A new infilling of Your Spirit. We need it now I think more than ever.

I have no idea how our prayers will help our Iraqi brothers. I only know that they will. Mysteriously, providentially, our prayers will benefit them. Materially, we can help them as well. But the power of prayer is what Jesus said will allow us to pick up mountains, and throw them into the sea.